Donald Trump made an appearance at the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner, an event that was originally canceled after an attempt on the president's life in April. The dinner took place Friday at Washington's Waldorf Astoria hotel.
Trump attended without his wife, Melania Trump, and was seated between White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) President Weija Jiang and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The remarks were delivered to a smaller audience than usual.
The White House Correspondents' Association had vowed that a rescheduled event would occur, stating that violence would not deter the annual gala. The dinner was moved from its traditional venue, the Washington Hilton, to the Waldorf Astoria for a more intimate gathering with enhanced security.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Trump's speech as "a combination of unifying yet vicious, and serious yet hilarious, all at the same time." Trump himself had previously hinted at his remarks, writing on his Truth Social platform that he was unsure if he would deliver the same "nasty statements" but assured it would be a "HOT" ticket.
This year's dinner included two additional awards. One was presented to Secret Service agent Victor Gonzales, who was on duty at a security checkpoint and was struck in his protective vest during the April incident. WHCA President Jiang stated that Officer Gonzales "ran toward danger so that thousands of others could make it home safely." A second award was given to the staff of the Washington Hilton.
Security measures for the event were heightened, with a single entrance, airport-style metal detectors, and individual QR entry codes for guests. A memo to guests indicated there was no red carpet and no pre-dinner receptions.
The dinner also featured entertainment by mentalist Oz Pearlman. Jiang emphasized that the event's purpose remained "a celebration of a free press and the vital role of journalism in our democracy for over a century," and that the WHCA would not allow an act of violence to overshadow it.
The event occurred amid escalating tensions between the media and the presidency. This pressure has manifested in various ways, including sanctions against White House press corps members, regulatory actions, and lawsuits. Most recently, the government withdrew subpoenas that would have compelled three New York Times reporters to testify about their sources for articles concerning Trump's Air Force One jet.